Tag Archive | "voter registration"

Posted on 02 November 2018

By Ann-Marie Adams, Staff Writer

HARTFORD — Since the 2016 election, more than 10,000 people have registered to vote in Hartford.

The number of newly registered Democratic voters rose by 5,148 and the number of newly registered Republican voters rose by 464. Also, the number of newly registered unaffiliated voters nearly matched the Democratic voters at 4,774.

The capital city is overwhelmingly Democratic, with 39,541 active voters in 2018. Currently, there are 2,298 active Republican voters. And there are 17,024 unaffiliated voters.

The increase in voter registration may not translate into higher voter turnout, however.

“People register to vote but that doesn’t mean they’re going to vote,” said Deputy Democratic Registrar of Voters Cathy Brooks.

Brooks said the office is doing nothing new to prepare for a possible higher voter turnout.

Across the state, the approach may be different to avoid the 2010 fiasco in Bridgeport. The city didn’t order enough ballots. As a result, then Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz went to court to keep polling places open, so that voters were allowed to vote.

Connecticut now has 2.16 million registered voters–the largest number of registered voters, according to the Secretary of State’s office.

Posted on 16 July 2012

HARTFORD — Less than one month to go until the statewide primary on Aug. 14.

That means Hartford residents who wish to vote in the primary should hurry to the Hartford registrar of voters’ office and sign up as a Democrat or Republican to join the 45, 191 new voters who registered since January 2012.

To register to vote by mail, voter registration cards must be received by the local registrar by August 9. The last day for in-person registration at the registrar’s office is August 13 at 12:00 p.m.

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According to Secretary of State Denise Merrill that brings the total number of Connecticut registered voters to 1,962,905.

The number of newly registered voters this year trails 2008 figures in the same period of time. By July 20, 2008, more than 100,000 new voters had registered.

Similar to 2008, however, young voters are the largest group of new voters to register so far in 2012 with 18,952 voters between the ages of 18-29 registering in the last seven months.

In this presidential election year, there are several hotly contested statewide primaries coming up, said Secretary Merrill, Connecticut’s chief elections official. “I am encouraged to see thousands of eligible Connecticut residents make the decision to become registered voters, by doing so they are making the statement that they want their voice to be heard at the polls.’

Anyone who wants to vote on Tuesday August 14th who is not yet registered to vote has one month from today at noon to register with the Democrats or the Republicans at your local Registrar of Voters office. Unaffiliated voters who want to participate also face that same deadline to enroll with either party in order to cast a primary ballot.

Currently, there are 1,962,905 active voters in Connecticut. There are 720,161 registered Democrats, 411,062 Republicans, and 817,432 registered as unaffiliated. Among the 45,191 newly registered voters since January 1, 2012, 13,851 registered as Democrats and 9,256 registered as Republicans and 21,091, registered as unaffiliated.

Among new voters, the largest group of new voters are some 18,952 voters between the ages of 18 and 29. Among voters aged 30-44, there are 10,334 newly registered voters. The age bracket of 45-59 gained 7,340 new voters while those aged 60 and over comprise 5,792 newly registered voters.

Posted on 07 May 2012

HARTFORD — Come 2013, voters can register to vote on election day.

Thanks to the final legislative passage of House Bill No. 5024 “An Act Concerning Voting Rights” – a measure proposed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy that once enacted will allow eligible Connecticut residents to register to vote and cast ballots on Election Day.

Once signed into law, Election Day Registration would only be available for November General Elections, not for primaries.

This law will also allow eligible Connecticut residents with a driver’s license to register to vote from any computer or mobile device with an internet connection.

The Connecticut State Senate endorsed the bill on Saturday by a vote of 19-16.

The measure was approved by the House of Representatives on April 30, 2012 by a vote of 83-59.

“This common sense yet long overdue reform is something we have tried to implement in Connecticut for years, and now we have made history by moving elections in our state into the 21st Century,” said Secretary of State Denise Merrill, Connecticut’s chief elections official. “This will make the right to vote much easier to exercise for the eligible voters of Connecticut and lead to increased voter participation. This will also make our voter lists more accurate.”

Connecticut becomes the 11th state to enact Election Day Registration. Some states such as Maine, Minnesota and Wisconsin have had Election Day Registration on the books since the 1970s.

Studies have shown that voter turnout in states with Election Day Registration is on average 10% higher than national voter turnout figures.

Posted on 02 November 2011

HARTFORD — Secretary of the State Denise Merrill on Tuesday announced that Executive Order No. 12 issued by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has extended the voter registration deadline for the upcoming municipal elections to Nov. 7, 2011 at 12:00 p.m.

Under Connecticut state law, the final, in-person voter registration deadline for the Nov. 8 municipal elections was Nov. 1at 8:00 p.m. But the heavy snow has pushed back that by nearly a week to accommodate those having difficulty getting to town or city offices to register.

“The severity of the power outages and other damage from this past weekend’s snow has the potential to disenfranchise thousands of Connecticut voters who are without electricity and even unable to leave their homes,” said Merrill. “Some town halls and municipal buildings also lack electricity, which makes it hard for voters who want to register by the deadline tonight. I commend Governor Malloy for taking this unprecedented action – this will give everyone who wants to cast a ballot in next Tuesday’s municipal elections extra time to register.

Voters can now register as long as they properly fill out registration forms and deliver them in-person to their local Registrar of Voters or Town Clerk by next Monday November 7th at noon.”

Voter Registration forms are available online at www.sots.ct.gov or they are obtainable at town offices or Division of Motor Vehicles offices. Registrars of Voters are required by law to be in their offices next Monday until 12:00 p.m. to process those late voter registrations.

Residents can check registration status, polling place and ballots at www.sots.ct.gov .

Polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. in most cities and towns for municipal elections next Tuesday.

Posted on 24 September 2009

HARTFORD — Hartford Registrars of Voters office will be open between 8:00am and 5:00pm on Tuesday September 29, 2009 for the purpose of completing the preliminary registry list of electors who will be entitled to vote in the Municipal Election on Nov. 3.

During such time, electors of the City of Hartford are encouraged to call or visit the office of the Registrars of Voters to request and complete a new voter registration application or to make changes to their voter registration record.

Voters may call the registrars of Voters at (869) 757-9830 or visit the office located in Room 2 on the ground floor of the Municipal Building, 550 Main Street, Hartford, CT.

All changes to voter registration must now be done in writing by completing a new voter registration application.